Martin's Background?

[Duncan]

I know Martin is a native of Florida, and has coached there since at least 1985.  I also know that he is fluent in Spanish.  Does anyone know of his background, in terms of his childhood, or his parents?  I kept thinking, while watching the press conference, that he had a northeastern accent, maybe New York or New Jersey?  Does people from Florida have a distinguishable accent?

[steve dave]

Cuban

[ksu_FAN]

K-STATE BASKETBALL | Martin: 'I'm a fighter'

His mother’s family fled from Cuba as Fidel Castro was rising to power. He is about to become a father again any day. And a pretty successful coach by the name of Billy Donovan offered the ultimate compliment to him.

Martin’s journey began in Miami. That’s where he was raised by his mother, Lourdes, who was divorced, having come to the United States in 1961 from Cuba.

Martin was born in 1966 and quickly developed a love for basketball. When he wasn’t playing, Martin was helping his mom make ends meet. It has much to do with his work ethic today.

“I have been working every day of my life since I was 12 years old. My first job was in the neighborhood restaurant, washing pots and pans so I could help mom raise our family,” said Martin, 41. “Our family dinner was every two weeks when my mom collected her paycheck and we went out to Burger King, Wendy’s, whatever fast-food establishment we could go to.”

[Duncan]

I knew that.   

makes sense know, thanks....

[SupremeWildcat]

I know he's Cuban, but I also heard a bit of a New York or New Jersey sound to his voice. : )

[konofo]

Does people from Florida have a distinguishable accent?

Interesting question.  I've lived in FL for a couple years now, and I couldn't really tell you what a native Florida accent sounds like.  Such a large percentage of the population here is from somewhere else, you get a thorough mix of southern, northeastern, and European accents.  I think most of the people I know to be natives of the area sound pretty much like Kansans, actually, with a little extra drawl.

kono

[chum1]

There are lots of New Yorkers in Miami.  It sounds like they rubbed off on him a bit, doesn't it?

[Duncan]

I guess it is more than the "accent" I heard.  His mannerisms/gesturing/demeanor seemed a little New Yorkish as well.

Anyway, just wanted to know if anyone else thought this....

[plaincat]

So let me get this straight. 

• He was raised by a single mother and had to help her make ends meet with jobs since he was 12.
• He loved basketball his whole life but was not an outstanding player.
• He started at the very bottom of the coaching profession - a high school assistant.
• Worked over 10 years at the high school level before he got a job at the college level.
• Broke into the college ranks at a minor school.
• Eventually spent several years as the top assistant for a coaching legend.

 

Why do his (lack of) qualifications for this job sound so familiar?

[ksu_FAN]

nm

[cireksu]

lol, i was wondering if someone would post the snyder likeness.

[plaincat]

lol, i was wondering if someone would post the snyder likeness.

Why not?  If Huggins doesn't leave, Frank Martin is probably here another 4-5 years.  At that point his resume and background would be damn near identical to Snyder's.  If Hayden Fry jumped ship in Iowa in the early 80's, Snyder might have been in the same position - if he were partially responsible for the top recruiting class in the country.  Otherwise, he probably gets cut loose and follows Fry.

[plaincat]

Kietz just fired up the Frank Martin bandwagon and I am fully on board.

This should be the theme of his show tomorrow.  Somebody who can write more eloquently than I should put this idea on his desk.